Kansas City Chiefs

kb8

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Kansas City Chiefs ($17.8M): With the pending acquisition of QB Alex Smith, the re-signings of WR Dwayne Bowe and Pro Bowl P Duntin Colquitt and the franchise tag they hung on LT Branden Albert, most of the Chiefs' work is done. But they did extract a heavy pay cut from DE Tyson Jackson, dumped starting RT Eric Winston and will probably soon release QB Matt Cassel, moves which helped them woo Robinson. Further help, maybe for the D-line, could be on the way.

penban

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The Kansas City Chiefs have quietly done a nice job in free agency building up their roster since free agency started. Tight end Anthony Fasano and defensive lineman Mike Devito were no-frills signings on Tuesday that should make the Chiefs better.

That trend continued Wednesday with the signing of wide receiver Donnie Avery, according to ESPN. Avery is coming off a career year with the Indianapolis Colts in which he gained 781 yards. He's a deep threat that hasn't been overly consistent or healthy in his career, so we'll be curious to see how much he makes.

Still, the Chiefs' offense is in better shape. Fasano and Tony Moeaki make a nice tight end combination. Avery will pair with Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin at wide receiver. The quarterback depth chart is set with Alex Smith and Chase Daniels. It's going to be tough for all these disparate pieces to come together quickly, but the Chiefs didn't exactly mortgage their future with monster contracts. (That includes the deal for cornerback Dunta Robinson.)

The Chiefs are set up well to survive a few free agent mistakes, and still improve.

Where they hit: If Fisher is even an above-average left tackle, the Chiefs will have done well taking him No. 1 overall considering the value of his position. The Chiefs can control his rights for up to five years. Kelce doesn’t lack for talent, and if he can avoid off-field missteps, he figures to be a key part of the TE mix in the coming years. Johnson, an experienced contributor for a powerful Alabama defense, strengthens a position of need.

Where they missed: All things considered, the Chiefs did well to address areas that had to be bolstered. Down the road, outside linebacker could be a need, but the Chiefs still have Tamba Hali and Justin Houston signed through 2015. In the short term, there were other priorities that rated more highly.

Impact rookies: Fisher will be an immediate starter on the line. The question now is whether the Chiefs deal Branden Albert, removing any doubt that the No. 1 overall pick will start on the left side. Travis Kelce, the brother of Jason Kelce, whom Andy Reid coached in Philadelphia, could vie for immediate playing time. Johnson also looms a threat to compete right off the bat at inside linebacker. Finally, Wilson may have a shot at stepping right in at fullback.

Long-term prospects: The Chiefs’ first three picks of Andy Reid’s tenure were offensive players: Fisher, Kelce, Davis. Moreover, the Chiefs’ second-round pick was sent to San Francisco in the deal for quarterback Alex Smith. The success of this offseason — and likely this draft — will be tied to the play of the offense in 2013 and beyond, what with the defense already in good-enough shape to win. If Fisher quickly becomes a quality starter on the edge of the line, and if Smith thrives working with Reid, the Chiefs could quickly be on the move on the AFC West standings. From the looks of it, the Chiefs are laying a solid new foundation.

Palermo

Danijel Lg

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New Chiefs coach Andy Reid said earlier this month that he was impressed with new Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith. Running back Jamaal Charles took it a step further Friday, calling Smith a Super Bowl-caliber QB.

"I think he is. He's got a great arm," Charles told NFL.com. "He's been winning most all of his career. I think he wants to prove people wrong: That he is a good quarterback, that he can stay consistent."

Smith's NFL journey has been an interesting one. He was taken first overall by the 49ers in 2005 but started 16 games just twice -- in 2006 and 2011. Smith has twice had seasons cut short by injury, and he has been benched for Troy Smith (now out of the league) and Colin Kaepernick (currently the 49ers' starter).

Last season, Smith watched Kaepernick lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl, and this offseason, he was traded to Kansas City.

"It probably hurt him," Charles said of Smith's 2012 season, "because he probably felt like everybody forgot about him because of the Kaepernick situation and being a backup. Making it to the Super Bowl but not playing in the Super Bowl. Everybody wants to play in the Super Bowl. So, I think he's got a lot to prove and he's a Super Bowl quarterback ... with the passion to go out and prove people wrong."

Danijel Lg

Danijel Lg

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ew NFL organizations underwent a facelift the way the Chiefs did this offseason. Andy Reid wasn't unemployed long, getting the boot from Philadelphia and quickly landing in a favorable situation in KC, replacing Romeo Crennel and the last vestiges of an old coaching staff's regime (Crennel worked under Todd Haley, who was fired the year before).

The change was necessary. GM Scott Pioli had fallen out of favor with the fans and management after whiffing on Cassel as the savior under center. Crennel motivated as an interim in 2011, but flopped out last year. A team that some people -- no joke -- picked to win the AFC West was the worst team in football.

There wasn't any semblance of offense, aside from the frustration of not properly using Jamaal Charles. The Cassell-Brady Quinn rotation at quarterbacks was a train wreck that helped the Chiefs score more than 20 points just four teams all year. Blech.

The talent on the defensive side of the ball continues to impress (Justin Houston was a rare bright spot as he emerged last season), but Reid didn't take long to put his meaty fingerprints all over the organization.

Key changes

Pioli was shipped out of town and replaced by Reid's buddy John Dorsey. Incumbent Matt Cassel never stood a chance; he was given the boot and Reid made the bold move of trading for Alex Smith, whom he's apparently coveted since Smith was slinging passes in college at Utah. It sounds like Reid's got some read-option tricks on his sleeve; the idea of Jamaal Charles and Alex running out of the pistol is enticing regardless of how you feel about these new formations.

The defense got Smith'd up too, with Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith -- one of the more talented players in free agency -- coming to KC on a deal (three years, $16.5 million) that looks quite favorable for the Chiefs after a market never really formulated for cornerbacks. A secondary of Brandon Flowers, Smith, Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis looks pretty formidable at this stage. Don't sleep on the additions of Mike DeVito and Geoff Schwartz along the defensive and offensive lines, respectively.

Reid also managed to make a slew of moves that kept the Chiefs' surprisingly talented core (when you consider they won two games last year anyway) together. Dwayne Bowe was given a new contract before he could hit the open market, freeing up the franchise tag for left tackle Branden Albert.

And there was, of course, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. For the first time in his coaching career, Reid drafted an offensive lineman with a pick in the top 15. With Albert in camp, Fisher's a good bet to start on the right side of the line. Having a right tackle as the cornerstone of your first draft is weird, but it makes sense for this team's roster construction. Having an Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III sitting atop the draft would've been ideal, naturally. But in lieu of that, Reid's built a roster that can compete right away in a division that, while not up for grabs thanks to Peyton Manning, isn't as stout as some other spots

Danijel Lg

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Position battles

The Chiefs are so odd for a two-win team. They've got the majority of their starters locked down and have a talented roster built already. Smith's the starter at quarterback, obviously, but seeing how things shake out with his possible backups could be interesting. Chase Daniel received a hefty contract in free agency to be a backup, Ricky Stanzi just never gets a chance and Tyler Bray's one of the more perplexing draftees in the 2013 class.

Knile Davis is an absolute burner who claims he's faster than Charles. He won't steal the starting job but it wouldn't be stunning if Reid let him steal some carries.

Anthony Fasano was signed as a free agent despite the presence of Tony Moeaki and could certainly challenge for the starting job. Moeaki was impressive as a rookie in 2010 but hasn't been the same since suffering a major injury in his sophomore campaign.

The biggest question mark, by far, is at wide receiver. Bowe's the unquestioned No. 1 on this roster but things get dicey after the former LSU star, especially with KC letting another of Pioli's free-agent busts, Steve Breaston, walk. Jon Baldwin was a first-round pick and he's got the talent, but is he mature enough to handle that sort of roll? Reid hasn't sounded entirely confident. Dexter McCluster's the football version of a "'tweener," not really fitting as anything more than a slot receiver for this unit. How Reid uses him will be fun to watch, but he's not the best man to challenge for the No. 2 spot. That honor goes to Donnie Avery, who had a strong season with the Colts in 2012 before signing with KC this offseason. If Avery beats out Baldwin, it's bad news bears for the youngster.

Danijel Lg

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New schemes

A whole new coaching staff means a whole new scheme and the Chiefs should welcome change in this instance. Say what you want about Reid's failings in Philly during the latter stages of his run there, but the man knows what he's doing on offense. Smith will be the triggerman for Reid's west-coast, high-volume passing game. The style of play should fit Smith, who's excellent at short and intermediate throws, can put up a high completion number to pair with a low interception digit. Smith's accuracy down the field should be a concern, but Bowe probably won't care since he's finally catching passes from the first real quarterback of his pro career. Charles could flourish in Reid's system, the same way that Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy did with the Eagles. He's a similar-style back who excels in the passing game. Fisher's presence doesn't just beef up the line, but it provides some insurance with Albert's wonky back and, most importantly, brings some athleticism to the line. He'll be superb in the screen game for Reid and the Chiefs.

Defensively, Reid's wisely sticking with the 3-4. Though he could've opted to change things up, KC's personnel fits that scheme to well to make it worth busting up the defense at this point in time. Half the guys in the front seven -- Tyson Jackson, Dontari Poe, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Houston -- were big-time investments for that scheme. A switch now wouldn't be logical.

Bubble watch

Speaking of all those early-round picks, it's important to remember that new regime means no more loyalty for the old boss' picks. We saw that first hand this offseason as Reid let one of Pioli's previous early picks, Glenn Dorsey, bounce for San Francisco. Dorsey didn't work out well and it wasn't shocking to see him leave, but it's a reminder to guys like Jackson, Poe and anyone else who was previously locked in because of their draft status that

Danijel Lg

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Unheard-of-guy to watch

Does Travis Kelce count here? More and more people are aware of third-round picks these days, and Kelce's off-field issues have drawn him some unwelcome notoriety. But on the field, he's a potential talent goldmine at a position where the Chiefs aren't completely set. Seriously, watch his highlights and you'll quickly understand exactly why Reid invested a third in this kid. His issues are personal stuff and injuries -- a year-long suspension and a hernia problem in 2012 sunk his stock. He can run block, make all the catches tight ends need to make, has a world of upside and can stretch the field while taking attention away from Bowe.

Biggest concerns

For everyone in this division, the biggest concern is having to play Peyton Manning twice -- the Broncos put everyone else in the AFC West at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to trying to win their division. Specifically to the Chiefs, however, the primary concern I see is Alex Smith continuing to resurrect his career and doing so away from the magical quarterback fixing umbrella that is Jim Harbaugh. Smith was headed straight for a non-Cantonized bust when Harbs took over in San Francisco, and the QB Whisperer's presence drastically changed the way Smith looked on the field. Andy Reid can get a lot out of quarterbacks, but assuming that Smith will magically solve the Chiefs issues at quarterback is a big leap of faith. They also need to find Smith weapons and doing so will obviously help him improve his game, but this season likely hinges on the performance of the former No. 1 overall pick, now on his second stop and umpteenth offensive coordinator.

Something to prove

Tyson Jackson and Dontari Poe aren't the same age but they do share many characteristics. Namely, they were drafted by Scott Pioli's regime and they haven't lived up to expectations quite yet. Poe's only played one year, of course, while Jackson is heading into his fifth season. Stepping up their game from "middling defensive lineman drafted in the top half of the first round during the NFL Draft" to "high draft picks worthy of being cornerstone pieces of defense" is critical for them if they want to hang around KC and justify their selections.

Smith fits here too, and it wouldn't be fair to not include Reid as well. He left Philadelphia somewhat in disgrace, with a magnificent run coming to a sputtering end. If he can flip the Chiefs around in quick fashion -- and I believe that he can -- it'll do wonders toward resorting his reputation as one of the top coaches in the league. And it'll do even more for Chiefs fans who've pined for success in recent years ... and never really got it.